Benzinga·2026-01-03 13:01Core Viewpoint - Retail investors are actively discussing five notable stocks driven by retail enthusiasm, AI developments, and corporate news, including Target Corp., Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Alphabet Inc., IREN Ltd., and Strategy Inc. [1] Group 1: Target Corp. (NYSE:TGT) - Target was highlighted after activist investor Toms Capital Investment Management acquired a significant stake, which investors viewed as a potential catalyst for operational changes to unlock long-term value [5] - Target reaffirmed its commitment to improving its merchandise and shopping experience, indicating a focus on returning to growth [5] - The stock had a 52-week range of $83.44 to $145.08, trading around $97 to $99 per share, with a decline of 28.75% in 2025 and 7.30% in the last six months [6] Group 2: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (NYSE:TSM) - Retail investors expressed bullish sentiment ahead of TSM's earnings release later in the month [4] Group 3: Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) - Alphabet's stock had a 52-week range of $134.25 to $313.98, trading around $303 to $305 per share, with a return of 50.75% in 2025 and 30.09% in the last six months [10] - The stock showed strong performance among its peers, driven by advancements in AI, cloud growth, and progress in Waymo [10] Group 4: IREN Ltd. (NASDAQ:IREN) - IREN gained attention due to discussions about using Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant for cryptocurrency mining, which could impact U.S. bitcoin production [16] - The stock had a 52-week range of $5.12 to $76.87, trading around $36 to $38 per share, with a significant rise of 261.09% in 2025 [17] Group 5: Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) - MSTR announced the purchase of 1,229 Bitcoin for approximately $108.8 million, increasing its holdings to 672,497 BTC [17] - Retail investors were cautious about investing in MSTR following its performance in 2025 [17] Group 6: Market Context - The retail focus combined meme-driven narratives with earnings outlooks and corporate news, as major indices like the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq experienced negative market action, missing the Santa Claus rally [18]